Life is like Top Trumps for science
What is Life?
At its heart, Life is a trading card game (TCG) – a bit like Pokémon, for those who are familiar. But instead of cute, fantastical creatures, it features real-life mammals. Each card displays a clear cartoon image of a mammal along with four key statistics: weight, speed, lifespan and population. Beneath the key stats are fun little fact boxes – for example, did you know the walrus can withstand freezing temperatures as low as -35°C? The mammals come in three rarities: common, uncommon and rare. There are also special holographic cards. In a clever twist, the number of holo cards is based on the mammal’s real-world population. So, for instance, only 300 holo Giant Raccoons exist in packs out there!
Is it fun?
The game’s premise is very simple, and anyone who has played Top Trumps will be able to pick it up instantly. After a quick game of rock-paper-scissors (or something similar) to determine who starts, the first player announces an animal, chooses a stat and reveals their card. The other players then reveal the same stat on their top cards, and whoever has the highest score keeps their card, placing it at the bottom of their deck. The losing cards go to a discard pile. The next player (to the left) then reveals their top card and picks a stat.
The game continues in this vein until one player holds all the cards. For those who enjoy a challenge, there are more advanced modes such as Competition Mode, where players can arrange their decks in advance. In this mode, producing a winning stat allows the same player to go again, but they can’t choose the same category twice in a row. Things get even more dramatic when a player wins a round – they receive one card from the loser, leading to a game that can swing back and forth.
Is it educational?
The game has four simple stats, but they are accurate – and its straightforward rules allow for a wide range of uses in both informal and formal settings. It’s surprising how quickly you begin to remember facts about different mammals. More importantly, Life has partnered with WWF-UK, the world’s leading environmental charity, and is working with them on projects to halt habitat loss and restore our natural world. In fact, a portion of every purchase goes directly to WWF – so go ahead and pick up a pack now!
Conclusion
This is just the beginning for LIFE TCG, and they have already confirmed they will be bringing more sets focused on reptiles, birds, fish and invertebrates, along with many more mammals, so get involved now and watch your game grow.
Age 3+
- 2-10 players
- 5 minutes+
- Life TCG Limited
- Dr Louise Robinson is Lecturer in Forensic Biology and Dr Ian Turner an Associate Professor in Learning and Teaching, both work at the University of Derby
